A $17 million dollar revamp of Evoro's Laverton North liquid and hazardous waste management facility will transform the operation into one of the world's best.
Upgrade works are underway at the Melbourne site and scheduled for completion by late 2025, following a comprehensive planning and approvals process spanning five years.
The improvements will enable Evoro to operate with better versatility across a spectrum of liquid and hazardous waste management services, including
• Neutralising acids and alkaline materials for safe disposal or discharge as stormwater. An example is acids used in galvanising processes to manufacture corrosion resistant products;
• Processing wastewater for safe discharge as stormwater. An example is wastewater resulting from industrial plant wash-downs;
• Separating and purifying water from oil. An example is workshop 'oily water' (water mixed with oils and other lubricants). Recovered oil can be reused as an industrial fuel source;
• Purifying waste glycol (antifreeze) for reuse;
• Processing hard-to-treat liquids such as Hydrogen Fluoride and waters containing PFAS for safe disposal or reuse.
The result will be improved efficiency, more flexibility for clients and better environmental outcomes.
New weighbridges and enhanced truck unloading processes to improve customer experience will be central to the upgrades.
Evoro Chief Executive Officer Susan McBurney said the investment would incorporate leading global technology and practice.
"This is a sweeping site overhaul enabling us to modernise operations to world-class standard," McBurney said.
"Our clients from multiple industrial sectors will reap the benefits of better efficiency, cost effectiveness and service.
"Much of what we're doing is a response to client feedback, and in line with strict regulatory requirements."
Evoro Victorian General Manager Jenny Barnes emphasised the environmental benefits.
"Our forte at Laverton North is handling difficult-to-treat industrial waste, giving it a second life through recycling or preparing it for safe disposal," Barnes said.
"It's a responsibility we conduct with professionalism and pride, knowing that such products could cause havoc if they were misused or illegally dumped, especially in waterways."
The upgrade will bring Evoro closer to reaching maximum treatment capacity, currently at 60 million litres per year.
Full time employment at the facility is scheduled to rise from 34 people to 40 people. Industrial development specialist LSR Construction Group is completing the works, having been selected via a tender process run by Evoro and Tango Projects.
